DRIVERS are warned about a bushfire in Hassel National Park and the Cheyne Road Nature Reserve that has caused the closure of a section of South Coast Highway east of Albany.
The Department of Environment and Conservation said that the highway has been shut between Pfieffer and Drawbin Roads and will remain closed overnight.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area, reduce speed and drive carefully due to smoke.
The fire broke out in the Cheyne Nature Reserve late this morning and the cause still unknown, the DEC said.
Currently the blaze is moving north-west at 500 metres an hour and is yet to be contained.
The DEC warns people in the area to be aware of fire and emergency personnel working on the site.
Since starting to burn the fire has scorched 130 hectares of bushland, the DEC reported.
A total of 70 fire crew from DEC, local volunteer bushfire brigades and private contractors are on the scene and working to stop the running fire and prevent it getting into bluegum plantations to the north-east and north-west of the fire.
Equipment includes 10 heavy duty trucks, a bulldozer and loader while four water bombers have also been deployed.
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